APPENDIX B GLOSSARY

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AAR

After Action Report

ABCCC

Airborne Command and Control Center

A-4 Skyhawk

A single-seat, lightweight, jet attack bomber in service with Navy and Marine Corps squadrons. Built by Douglas.

AN/PRC-25

U. S.-built, short-range, portable, frequency-modulated radio set used to provide two-way communication in the 30 megacycle to 75.95 megacycle band.

AN/TPQ-10

U. S.-built, ground-based radar system used to guide aircraft on bombing missions.

A-1 Skyraider

U. S.-built, prop-driven, attack aircraft built by Douglas.

Arc Light

Operational name for B-52 strikes in South Vietnam.

ARVN

Army of The Republic of Vietnam.

A-6A Intruder

U. S. Navy and Marine Corps twin-engine, low-altitude, jet attack bomber specifically designed to deliver ordnance on targets completely obscured by weather or darkness. Carries a heavier and more varied load than any other U. S. naval attack aircraft. Built by Grumman.

ASRT

Air Support Radar Team

BDA

Battle Damage Assessment

Bde

Brigade

B-52 Stratofortress

USAF eight-engine, swept-wing heavy jet bomber. Built by Boeing.

BLT

Battalion Landing Team

CAC

Combined Action Company

CACO

Combined Action Company Oscar

CavSqd (e.g. 1/9)

1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry

C-4

Plastic explosives

CG, 1st MarDiv

Commanding General, 1st Marine Division

CG, FMFPac

Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific

CG, 3d MarDiv

Commanding General, 3d Marine Division

CG, III MAF

Commanding General, III Marine Amphibious Force

ChiCom

Chinese Communist

CH-53A Sea Stallion

U. S.-built, single-rotor, heavy assault transport helicopter powered by two shaft-turbine engines with an average payload of 12,800 pounds. Full-sized rear opening with built-in ramp permits loading of 105mm howitzer and carriage. External sling will accommodate a 155mm howitzer (towed). Carries crew of 3 plus 38 combat troops or 24 litters. Built by Sikorsky.

CH-46D Sea Knight

U. S.-built, medium transport, twin-turbine, tandem rotor helicopter with an average payload of 4,800 pounds. Has rear loading ramp and external sling mount. Carries crew of 3 plus 25 combat troops or 15 litters and 2 attendants. Built by Boeing.

CIDG

Civilian Irregular Defense Group

Claymore

U. S.-built, directional antipersonnel land mine employed above ground and normally in an upright position.

CMC

Commandant of the Marine Corps

CmdChron

Command Chronology

CO

Commanding Officer

ComUSMACV

Commander, U. S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

CP

Command Post

CS

Designation for tear gas

DASC

Direct Air Support Center

D-Day

Day scheduled for the commencement of an operation.

DIA IntBul

Defense Intelligence Agency Intelligence Bulletin

DMZ

Demilitarized Zone

EC-121 Super Constellation

USAF and USN four-engine, prop-driven, long-range, heavy transport modified with special equipment for radar early warning patrols and electronic warfare duty. Built by Lockheed.

FADAC

Field Artillery Digital Automatic Computer

FDC

Fire Direction Center

F-8 Crusader

U. S. Navy and Marine Corps supersonic, single-seat, single-engine, jet fighter with afterburner. Primarily used in South Vietnam in an attack role. Carries air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance. Built by LTV Vought Aeronautics.

F-4B Phantom II

U. S. Navy and Marine Corps twin-engine, two-seat, supersonic fighter/attack jet with afterburners; has dual role of interceptor and bomber. Of all U. S. naval attack aircraft, F-4B carries second largest payload. Built by McDonnell.

F-4C

U. S. Air Force model of the Phantom II.

1st ACD

1st Air Cavalry Division

1st MarDiv

1st Marine Division

1st MAW

1st Marine Aircraft Wing

FOB-3

Forward Operating Base 3

F-100 Super Sabre

Single-engine, jet (with afterburner) sweptwing, supersonic fighter-bomber; in production since 1953, the F-100 was the first supersonic operational fighter developed for the U. S. Air Force. Carries air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance. Built by North American.

F-105 Thunderchief

U. S. Air Force supersonic, single-seat, single-engine, jet fighter/bomber with afterburner. Built by Republic.

FMFPac

Fleet Marine Force, Pacific

FO

Forward Observer

FSCC

Fire Support Coordination Center

GCA

Ground Controlled Approach

GPES

Ground Proximity Extraction System

Grenade Launcher, M-79

U. S.-built ,single-shot, break-open, breech-loaded shoulder weapon which fires 40mm projectiles and weighs approximately 6.5 pounds when loaded; it has a sustained rate of aimed fire of 5-7 rounds per minute and an effective range of 375 meters.

Gun, 100mm M1944

Soviet-built, dual purpose field and antitank gun introduced toward the close of World War II; it weighs 7,628 pounds, is 30.9 feet in length and has a muzzle velocity of 900 meters per second. Maximum range is 21,000 meters and maximum rate of fire is 8-10 rounds per minute. Is recognizable by long tube, double-barrel muzzle brake, dual wheels, and sloping shield.

Gun, 130mm

Soviet-built fieldpiece which utilizes either a limber for transport or is self-propelled. Towed weapon weighs 19,000 pounds, is 38 feet in length, and has a muzzle velocity of 930 meters per second. Maximum range is 27,000 meters and maximum rate of fire is 6-7 rounds per minute. Tube has a multi-perforated muzzle brake.

Gun, 175mm

U. S.-built, self-propelled gun which weighs 62,100 pounds and fires a 147-pound projectile to a maximum range of 32,800 meters. Maximum rate of fire is 1/2 round per minute.

Hand Grenade, Fragmentation M-26

U. S.-manufactured, hand-thrown bomb, which weighs approximately one pound, and contains an explosive charge in a body that shatters into small fragments; it has an effective range of 40 meters.

H&I

Harassment and Interdiction

H&S Co

Headquarters and Service Company

HistBr

Historical Branch

HMM

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron

Howitzer, 105mm M2A1

U. S.-built, towed, general purpose light artillery piece; the weapon is mounted on a carriage equipped with split box trails and pneumatic tires. On-carriage sighting and fire control equipment are used both for direct and indirect fire. The piece weighs 4,980 pounds, is 19.75 feet in length, has a muzzle velocity of 470 meters per second, and a maximum range of 11,155 meters. Maximum rate of fire is 4 rounds per minute.

Howitzer, 155mm M1

U. S.-built, towed, medium artillery piece mounted on a two-wheel, split-trail carriage with detachable spades. The howitzer is fired from a three-point suspension, with the trails spread and the carriage resting upon an integral firing jack, the wheels being clear of the ground. The piece weighs 12,700 pounds, is 24 feet long, has a muzzle velocity of 560 meters per second and a maximum range of 15,080 meters. Maximum rate of fire is 3 rounds per minute.

Howitzer, 8-inch M-110

U. S.-built, self-propelled heavy artillery piece; 37 feet long tracked carriage is identical to that of 175mm gun. M-110 has a maximum range of 16,930 meters and a rate of fire of 1/2 round per minute.

HQMC

Headquarters, United States Marine Corps

IFR

Instrument Flight Rules

KBA

Killed By Air

KIA

Killed In Action

KSCB

Khe Sanh Combat Base

LAPES

Low Altitude Proximity Extraction System

LSA

Logistics Support Area

LZ

Landing Zone

MACV

Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

MAG

Marine Aircraft Group

Machine Gun, .50 Caliber

U. S.-built, belt-fed, recoil-operated, air-cooled automatic weapon, which weighs approximately 80 pounds without mount or ammunition; it has a sustained rate of fire of 100 rounds per minute and an effective range of 1,450 meters.

Machine Gun, M-60

U. S.-built, belt-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, 7.62mm automatic weapon, which weighs approximately 23 pounds without mount or ammunition; it has a sustained rate of fire of 100 rounds per minute and an effective range of 1,100 meters.

____ Marines

Designation of Marine regiment

MATCU

Marine Air Traffic Control Unit

Medevac

Medical evacuation

Mortar, 60mm

U. S.-built, smooth-bore, muzzle-loaded, single-shot, high-angle of fire weapon, which weighs 45.2 pounds when assembled and fires an assortment of high explosive and pyrotechnic rounds; it has a maximum rate of fire of 30 rounds per minute and sustained rate of fire of 18 rounds per minute; the effective range is 2,000 meters.

Mortar, 81mm

U. S.-built, smooth-bore, muzzle-loaded, single-shot, high angle of fire weapon, which weighs approximately 115 pounds when assembled and fires an assortment of high explosive and pyrotechnic rounds; it has a sustained rate of fire of 2 rounds per minute and an effective range of 2,200-3,650 meters, depending upon the ammunition used.

Mortar, 82mm

Soviet-built, smooth-bore, muzzle-loaded, single-shot, high-angle of fire weapon which weighs approximately 123 pounds when assembled and fires high explosive and pyrotechnic rounds; it has a maximum rate of fire of 25 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 3,040 meters.

Mortar, 120mm

Soviet- or Chinese Communist-built, smooth-bore, drop or trigger fired, single-shot, high-angle of fire weapon, which weighs approximately 606 pounds when assembled and fires high explosive and pyrotechnic rounds; it has a maximum rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 5,700 meters.

Mortar, 4.2 inch M2

U. S.-built, 107mm, rifled, muzzle-loaded, drop-fired weapon consisting of tube, baseplate and standard; weapon weighs 330 pounds, is 4 feet in length, and has a maximum range of 4,020 meters. Rate of fire is 20 rounds per minute and utilizes both high explosive and pyrotechnic ammunition. (Five M2s were employed at KSCB)

Mortar, 4.2-inch M98 Howtar

U. S.-built, 107mm, rifled, muzzle-loaded, mortar; a towed weapon, the Howtar is mounted on a carriage with two pneumatic tires. Tube and carriage weigh 1,289 pounds; maximum range is 5,500 meters. (Two Howtars were employed at KSCB)

M-16

U. S.-built, magazine-fed, 5.62mm gas-operated, air-cooled shoulder weapon designed for either semiautomatic or full automatic fire; fully loaded weighs 7.6 pounds, fires a maximum rate of 150-200 rounds per minute, and has a maximum effective range of 460 meters.

9th MAB

9th Marine Amphibious Brigade

9th MEB

9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

NVA

North Vietnamese Army

O1-E

U. S.-built, single engine, two-seat, prop-driven light observation aircraft built by Cessna.

Ontos

U. S.-built, lightly-armored tracked vehicle armed with six coaxially mounted 106mm recoilless rifles. Originally designed as a tank killer, the Ontos is primarily used in Vietnam to support the infantry.

PCV

Provisional Corps, Vietnam

PF

Popular Forces

PMDL

Provisional Military Demarcation Line

RC-292

U. S.-built, elevated, wide-band, modified ground-plane antenna designed to operate with and increase the distance range of various radio sets.

Recoilless Rifle, 106mm, M40A1

U. S.-built, single-shot, recoilless, breech-loaded weapon which weighs 438 pounds when assembled and mounted for firing; it has a sustained rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute and an effective range of 1,365 meters. The weapon can be singly or Ontos mounted.

RF

Regional Forces

RLT

Regimental Landing Team

Rocket, 122mm

A Soviet-built, four-piece, fin-stabilized, 9-foot long rocket weighing 125 pounds; maximum range is approximately 17,000 meters. Launcher tube and mount weigh 121 pounds and are 8.1 feet in length.

RPG-2

A Soviet-and Chinese Communist-built antitank grenade launcher; a smooth-bore, muzzle-loaded, shoulder-fired, recoilless weapon which fires a 40mm spin-stabilized round. The weapon weighs 6.3 pounds, is 3.2 feet in length, has a muzzle velocity of 84 meters per second, and an effective range of 100 meters. Maximum rate of fire is 4-6 rounds per minute utilizing High Explosive Antitank ammunition.

SLF

Special Landing Force

S-2

Intelligence section or officer

TA-4

Two-seat trainer model of the A-4 Skyhawk

TAC(A)

Tactical Air Controller (Airborne)

TAFDS

Tactical Airfield Fuel Dispensing System

Tank, PT-76

Soviet-built, 15.4-ton, amphibious tank with a crew of 3; primary armament is turret mounted 76mm gun and maximum thickness of armor is 0.6 inches.

Tank, M-48

U. S.-built 50.7-ton tank with a crew of 4; primary armament is turret-mounted 90mm gun with one .30 caliber and one .50 caliber machine gun. Can be configured with water fording equipment. Maximum road speed of 32 miles per hour and an average range of 195 miles.

TAOR

Tactical Area Of Responsibility

TET

Vietnamese Lunar New Year

3d MarDiv

3d Marine Division

III MAF

III Marine Amphibious Force

TIO

Target Intelligence/Information Officer

TOT

Time On Target

UHF

Ultra High Frequency

UH-1E Huey Gunship

A single-engine, Marine, light attack/transport helicopter noted for its maneuverability and firepower; carries a crew of three with seven combat troops or three litters, two sitting casualties and a medical attendant, or 3,000 pounds of cargo. It is armed with air to ground rocket packs and fuselage mounted, electrically fired machine guns.

UH-34D
Sea Horse

A single-engine, Marine, medium transport helicopter with a crew of three; carries 16-18 combat troops or 8 litters or a normal 5,000 pound payload.

USAF

United States Air Force

USA

United States Army

USMC

United States Marine Corps

USN

United States Navy

VC

Viet Cong

VFR

Visual Flight Rules

VHF

Very High Frequency

Viet Minh

The Vietnamese contraction for Viet Nam, Doc Lap Nong Minh Hoi, a Communist-led coalition of nationalist groups which actively opposed the Japanese in World War II and the French in the early years of the Indo-China War.

VMA

Marine Attack Squadron

VMFA

Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron

VMGR

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron

VMO

Marine Observation Squadron

VNAF

Vietnamese Air Force

VT

Variable Timed fuze for artillery shell which causes airburst over target area.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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